More than 500,000 individuals are involved in youth ice hockey leagues every year, making it one of the fastest growing sports in the country. This fast-paced sport carries a great potential for risk – as is true with most contact sports – but with the right training, preparation and equipment, you can keep safe while playing.
Both contact and non-contact injuries occur during ice hockey. Collision injuries and being hit by pucks or sticks can cause harm, as well as muscle injuries from overuse or acute trauma. Below are some of the most common hockey injuries.
Wearing the necessary equipment (and checking that it fits properly) can prevent many injuries. Don’t forget the additional equipment for goalies! Rules in the sport are changing to help prevent unnecessary injury, so it is important that players and coaches alike adhere to these.
If you have been hurt or have any concerns, call the Bone & Joint center to schedule an appointment.
Reference: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, “Hockey Injury Prevention,” August 2009. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00114
Reference: Stop Sports Injuries, “Hockey Injury Prevention”. http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/hockey-injury-prevention.aspx